Waterproof vault



A g 26 i 924. 1,506279 P. s. TORRENCE WATERPROOF VAULT Filed May' 5, 1924 2 Sheets-Shegt.

Patented Aug. 26, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFJICE.

PLESANT S. TORRENCE, OE SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA.

WATERPROOF. VAULT.

Application filed May 3,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PLESANT S. TORRENCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Salisbury, in the county of Rowan and State of North Carolina, have invented a new and useful lVaterproof Vault, of which the following is a specification.

This invention aims to provide a metallic vault adapted to contain a coffin and so constructed that it will be water proof and possess great strength.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope of what is claimed, a mechanic may make changes, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a side ele ration; Figure 2 is an end elevation; Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; Figure l is a cross section on the line 1 of Figure 1.

The vault comprises a receptacle 1 includ ing an elongated body 2 having an outwardy slanting depending apron 8 provided at its lower end with an approximately horizontal outstanding flange i. Within the body 2 is located a bottom 5 having an outwardly slanting depending apron 6 fitting closely within the apron 3 of the body 2 and provided with an outstanding horizontal flange 7 located beneath the flange 4 of the apron 3 of the body 2, the parts 36 and 4? being connected by welding or otherwise. The flange 7 is equipped with an up standing rim 8 embracing the flange 4 of the part 3 of the body 2.

The vault includes an outer box-like cover 9 including a shell 10 having an outstanding bottom flange 11 located within the rim 8, a resilient packing 12 being disposed between the flange 11 of the shell 10 and the flange 4: of the body 2. Securing elements 1 1, such as screws, pass through the flange 11 of the shell 10 and through the packing 12 and are threaded into the flanges 4: and 7, it being observed that these flanges afford a doublethick member into which the securing screws 1924, Serial No. 710,593,.

1 1 may be threaded. The cover 9 includes a partition 15 welded or secured otherwise within and to the shell 10 and forming a compartment 16 between the top portion of the shell and the partition. The partition may be secured and the upper portion of the shell 10 reinforced by stay members 17, the ends 18 of which may be soldered or welded upon shell 10 and the partition 15. In one end of the shell 10 there is a valve 19, closed by a cap 20 and communicating with the space within the cover 9 below the partition 15. The shell 10 is provided with a valve 21. Air under pressure may be pumped through the valve 19, and through the valve 21 into the compartment 16 in order to keep out water and to sustain the device against external pressure. After the air has been pumped through the valve 21, the outer end thereof may be closed by welding or otherwise, as shown at 22, and after air has been pumped through the valve 19, the cap 20 may be applied to the valve.

Any desired number of handles 23 may be mounted on the shell 10 of the cover 9, and the rim 8 may be provided with handles 24. Since the aprons 3 and 6 flare outwardly, the vault is given a broadened base and will not be likely to topple over. Since the bottom 5 is elevated, the corpse in the eoflin is kept well above any water which may happen to be in the grave, and since the water is held away from the bottom 5, the bottom will not be likely to rust out either by contact with the water or by contact with the wet earth in the bottom of the grave.

I claim 2 1. In a device of the class described, a receptacle including a body having an outwardly slanting depending apron provided with an outstanding flange, a bottom in the body and having an outwardly slanting depending apron engaging the apron of the body, and provided with an outstanding flange engaging and located beneath the flange of the apron of the body, and a cover inverted over the body and having an outstanding flange, and securing elements conmeeting all of the flanges.

2. A device of the class described, constructed as set forth in claim 1, and further characterized by an upstanding rim on the flange of the apron of the bottom, and a packing interposed between the flange of the cover and the flange of the apron of the and communicating, respectively, With the body, the packing and the flanges of both compartment, and With the space in the aprons being located Within the rim. cover below the partition. Y

3. In a device of the class described, a In testimony that I claim the foregoing 5 body and a cover inverted thereover, the as my oWn, I have hereto aifiXed my signa- 1 body and the cover having outstanding ture in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

flanges, means for connecting the flanges, a PLESANT S. TORRENCE. partition in the cover and defining acom- WVitnesses: partment in the top of the cover, and air- W. C. MAUPIN,

1 admitting check valves carried by the cover I. M. RICHARDSON. 

